Feeling the tiredness of my first full academic year, I felt a repost of this particular post wouldn’t go amiss!
Life… teacher… the words don’t naturally go together, not here in the UK at least!
Why? Well, I am here to report back to you that the reality of a teacher’s existence is not what many people out there think.
There is this all important phrase bandied about ‘work/life balance’ and it is a very important principle. Your work shouldn’t be all-consuming, you need to be able to compartmentalise your life so work doesn’t overshadow your life, and your personal life doesn’t impact upon your professional one.
And for a teacher, this should be really easy, right? After all you work from 9am to 3.30pm, and you get all the weekends, and all those holidays?!
Really???
Nope, not reality AT ALL!
I have been in my new teaching job for the last 6 weeks and I am exhausted! And you know what, I haven’t even really started properly yet! September, when I have my own first class, will herald the start of a new love/pressure on my already full life!
My day, my working day, starts at 7.30am, when I get into school. Yup, 7.30am. I bring my children to school to go to breakfast club, and then get started on preparing things for the day, alongside my team. This involves, setting things up in the classroom, updating children’s books, photocopying or printing, having a cuppa, catching up with the team, and preparing each other for the day ahead.
Then from 8.45am to 11.45am we have the morning children in. Apparently, lunch starts then for an hour, but in reality, we have to clean up the morning children’s mess, then prepare the classroom anew for the afternoon children’s arrival, before actually eating. Oh and there are inevitable emails, and other bits of paperwork that need doing too, then 12.45pm doors open again for the afternoon lovelies, and we are kid busy until 3.45pm…
Yay! School day done! the kids are gone! But not the teachers… oh no. Then the fun of discussing the day gone by, any changed to plans for the week, paperwork, emails, more preparation for the next day, and depending on the time of the year, there will be reports, progress grids, and at the moment for us, the fun of home visits and new pupils, and their indecision as to whether they are coming to us or not, to contend with too!
It’s not long before the clock says 5.30pm, and on occasion it’s even been nearly 6pm before I have finally left the building. My kids aren’t having to endure nearly 11 hours at school, I have wonderful in-laws who come to pick them up at the end of the children’s school day, and they are fed and relaxed by the time I get home!
At this stage, realise that within the day, we have had no official breaks apart from the lunch hour that ends up being the lunch 15 minutes, due to the other jobs we need to do.
So that’s more or less 50 hours a week… so far…
But I haven’t factored in the evenings or the weekend, where you may sit, researching, or planning for an hour or two a night sometimes, or updating books, writing reports and updating data, again, depending on the time of year.
So probably a 60 hour week, related to work, then obviously the time for your family is really important. I need my time with my impressionable kids, and need to try to not be tired, and ratty with them. And obviously my hubby, who is neglected, due to my exhaustion, needs time too. I have friends who I don’t get to chat to on the phone, let alone see, because the moments I have in peace, are just that… moments… and I have learned to really appreciate them.
I’m up a 6am, I probably don’t get to bed until 11.30pm… and spending a day with a class full of children is exhausting, physically and mentally. I say whole heartedly, that teachers deserve those holidays. Those holidays where they spend a whole lot of time thinking about their class, and the next term, the topics and tasks they will be covering. Or they go to places and think ” Ooooh! My class would love this!” or “I wonder if they do class trips? But seriously, I do love what I am doing right now, and I finally feel I am in my ideal place, with my family and home, and in a job I love. It’s just a shame that teaching is not actually just about teaching anymore… if the government could cut the red tape, the constant data yielding that teachers are expected to do, and actually allow them to teach, from the heart, I do believe that the results would become, themselves, amazing!
So, the next time you sit there thinking a friend who is a teacher has an easy life, please check this post out again!
( I haven’t even touched on the pay in this post!)
princess6742
Jul 20, 2016 @ 22:05:36
the government should stop interfering with school across the world and i’m glad there a teacher that can say it. i no idea that the teachers had so much work to do to prepare for the day and to do even more for things like exams.
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Ritu
Jul 20, 2016 @ 22:53:16
Thank you for understanding! 😊 Teaching is so rewarding but the excess stress put on the average teacher from the government is unreal!
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princess6742
Jul 22, 2016 @ 02:46:49
Your welcomed! it is unreal of what the government puts teachers through and i think that if there are more teachers like you (by stating the facts) out there then perhaps things will change.
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Ritu
Jul 22, 2016 @ 06:56:24
Sadly, unless an actual teacher was to take the reins, I don’t think the demands will change…. Politicians live in a deluded world!!!
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kidsofthe50sand60s
Jul 19, 2016 @ 06:33:57
So, so true!!!!
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Ritu
Jul 19, 2016 @ 06:49:01
Exhaustion is mot even the right word…
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afternoonofsundries
Jul 19, 2016 @ 05:15:07
I’m with you, my teaching sister across the sea! Well put! A reblog, if I may?
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Ritu
Jul 19, 2016 @ 06:47:54
By all means! If this is what it takes to shake the ‘short hours long vacation’ veil that teaching wears, then reblog away!!!!
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Marje @ Kyrosmagica
Jul 18, 2016 @ 11:35:17
My eldest is thinking of perhaps becoming a teacher…. I should let her read this!!
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Ritu
Jul 18, 2016 @ 12:19:34
😊 make sure you do!!!
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Erika Kind
Jul 17, 2016 @ 21:03:49
Gosh, I remember this post! How fitting again, Sis!
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Ritu
Jul 17, 2016 @ 21:11:58
It suits me again right now eh sis!!!
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Erika Kind
Jul 17, 2016 @ 21:29:01
Totally! The perfect time for a repost!
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Ritu
Jul 17, 2016 @ 21:34:35
😆
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Erika Kind
Jul 17, 2016 @ 21:36:45
😉
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eloquentparadise
Jul 17, 2016 @ 07:21:38
Who are you? Superwoman?
You just inspired me. 😉
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Ritu
Jul 17, 2016 @ 07:23:47
Lol! No…just a wife, mother and teacher 😊
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eloquentparadise
Jul 17, 2016 @ 11:48:43
Hence, a superwomaiya. 😀
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Ritu
Jul 17, 2016 @ 11:56:06
😚 thanks! I’ll take that! 😆
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elementhealing
Jul 17, 2016 @ 02:47:11
Teachers are incredibly overworked and under paid. It is such an important job, you’d think it would be more appropriately compensated.
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Ritu
Jul 17, 2016 @ 06:05:37
You’d think so… 😊
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pranabaxom
Jul 17, 2016 @ 00:20:17
This is a poem I wrote as a response to your post. I have not posted it on my blog yet. If you like it enough, post it ( with due credit though😊), otherwise let it linger here.
Life of a Teacher
Life of a teacher
Not that of a preacher
Not a father nor mother
May be an elder
Brother or sister
A friend, maybe
Guide and a philosopher
Mould and shape
Like a sculptor
Hope never be the tyrant
To doom a life for ever in prison
If money is all you crave
Then to be a teacher
You must be brave
Life of a teacher,
Challenging, yes
Dull, never
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Ritu
Jul 17, 2016 @ 06:04:51
This is wonderfully written and so true!
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pranabaxom
Jul 17, 2016 @ 07:24:50
Glad that you liked it.
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Marta Frant
Oct 19, 2015 @ 12:23:26
An average teacher in Russia has 150$ per month? How are the things out there?
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Ritu
Oct 19, 2015 @ 16:43:02
Between £1200-1500, which is nothing, compared to the cost of living, and the workload and stress….
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Marta Frant
Oct 19, 2015 @ 18:22:53
Well, this means we have £120… I like that math. I would say it should inspire our teachers to work more =)
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shelie27
Jul 18, 2015 @ 06:56:57
Even though you’re busy, I’m glad you’re happy. I’m sure other teachers would be grateful to you for explaining the run down. I worked in daycare for three years when I was twenty-one. The mental exhaustion of keeping track of them had me in bed by eight, sometimes earlier I couldn’t imagine taking it on with a family. It’s a calling!
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Ritu
Jul 18, 2015 @ 07:53:49
Thank you for these supportive words! It truly is a vocation, teaching, and I wanted to do it since I was 7!
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Fourth Generation Farmgirl
Jul 17, 2015 @ 03:43:02
Teachers give so much of themselves, because they truly love what they do. 🙂
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Ritu
Jul 17, 2015 @ 07:16:09
Exactly Tonya.. But it would be great to get financially rewarded for that passion too!
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Fourth Generation Farmgirl
Jul 17, 2015 @ 13:06:12
You are exactly right! After all, it’s one of the most important jobs ever—shaping the lives of children.
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Ritu
Jul 17, 2015 @ 16:41:39
Yup, you’d think it was recognized like that, but you still get those with the mentality, ‘those that can, do… Those that can’t, teach’!
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Fourth Generation Farmgirl
Jul 17, 2015 @ 16:45:39
That philosophy is upsetting, and I completely understand what you’re saying as I’m a speech therapist/ speech teacher who has worked many years in the school system. 🙂
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Ritu
Jul 17, 2015 @ 16:56:19
Wow! So you get some interesting cases I bet! We have a lot of speech issues… And some are because of children being dual language, some are also hidden because of second languages!!
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Fourth Generation Farmgirl
Jul 17, 2015 @ 17:01:00
Does your school employ ESL (English as Second Language) teachers? It’s important to differentiate between a language difference and a language disorder. Sometimes ESL and speech teachers/ therapists work together to evaluate children who are bilingual. I love working with primary age children. 🙂
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Ritu
Jul 17, 2015 @ 17:03:21
We have language specialists, and work work the children, to differentiate whether it is a speech, or language issue… But it’s tough, especially when they are young!!!
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Fourth Generation Farmgirl
Jul 17, 2015 @ 17:08:00
You’re right! It can be really challenging, especially if the children aren’t using a lot of language due to a delay. That’s why I think early intervention is so important. People like you who work with this age group are on the front lines so to speak. You are their first experience with school and learning. Your students are fortunate to have such a loving and dedicated teacher!! 😊
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Ritu
Jul 17, 2015 @ 17:14:20
Aw thank you!!! We try really hard to find out difficulties… Sometimes its getting the out side help that’s hard… Justification…
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Fourth Generation Farmgirl
Jul 17, 2015 @ 17:21:59
You’re most welcome! We run into the same issues with justification, too. It can be really frustrating sometimes. Especially when you know a student could benefit from services, and their test scores aren’t quite low enough to justify the extra help—aargh!
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Ritu
Jul 17, 2015 @ 17:25:17
What to do!!! 😊
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An Artsy Appetite
Jul 17, 2015 @ 01:58:54
I am a teacher by profession, too, Ritu! Your post is ON point.
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Ritu
Jul 17, 2015 @ 07:01:39
A kindred spirit!!! It’s a tough life, but satisfying, right?!
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An Artsy Appetite
Jul 17, 2015 @ 22:46:11
With all those hectic days and grading papers etc etc, I would not do anything else, Ritu. I love teaching 🙂
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Ritu
Jul 17, 2015 @ 23:02:02
Absolutely! me too! Being in nursery, or kindergarten, with 3-4 year olds, I don’t so much grade papers, but creating stimulating ideas for the children, and the whole assessing through observation, its a tough job, but, like you, I love it! ❤
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An Artsy Appetite
Jul 19, 2015 @ 06:19:27
Being with little ones is so challenging as you have to make the environment very interesting and create stimulating material, as you said, unlike with the older grades where you have a whole lot of study material that you can work around. But something about teaching is So satisfying for me that I can’t think of being in any other profession. 🙂
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Ritu
Jul 19, 2015 @ 09:49:17
Me neither! It was always my dream… Now its come true!!!
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wafflemethis
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:05:41
Mould even
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:06:57
Knew what you meant lol! Damn You Auto correct!!!
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wafflemethis
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:22:49
☺
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The V-Pub
Jul 16, 2015 @ 21:27:35
Teachers are so overworked. It seems the day is never done. I think that your husband is right – you should get overtime!
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:03:39
Says he and every other teachers partner… the teachers just roll their eyes, as it seems like it will never happen!
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The Story Reading Ape
Jul 16, 2015 @ 21:26:10
My wife was a teacher before retiring and even though her students were adults, she was always on the go – when we dated, part of the date involved me either helping her gather the necessary information and materials, or, sitting quiet as a mouse and obey the DO NOT DISTURB sign that wasn’t visible, but there just the same 😃😃😃
Bless your little Busy Socks Ritu 👍🐵
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:03:08
Thank you Chris! Busy indeed, but loving every minute of it! 🙂
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Erika Kind
Jul 16, 2015 @ 21:11:38
Ritu, I am honest: Reading your post made me develop stress symptoms.Not kidding!!! I know you love what you do. But this is really a lot. And you have family AND you are running a huge blog and want time for even more followers??? Ritu you need to be cloned!!!
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wafflemethis
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:05:21
They broke the mold when they made this one Erika She’s totally unique☺
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Erika Kind
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:11:59
Hahaha…. that is right. LOL!!!
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wafflemethis
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:12:49
Although her big sis could help. Lol😜😜😜
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Erika Kind
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:18:24
Breaking the mold?
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wafflemethis
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:28:03
Breaking the mould
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Erika Kind
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:32:41
Yep! We are the same crazy… for sure! Haha!
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wafflemethis
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:34:55
I hadn’t noticed Erika I thought you were 2 nice innocent girls lolol😜😜😜😜
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Erika Kind
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:40:15
Oh, I am sorry to disappoint you, Rich. But I am glad we could dissolve this misunderstanding 😜😜😜😜
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wafflemethis
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:42:43
Hahahaaaa 😜
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Erika Kind
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:44:46
😉
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:13:36
;P
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Erika Kind
Jul 17, 2015 @ 06:39:45
😃
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:13:21
We are, big bro… what gave you any other impression??! 😉
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wafflemethis
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:24:15
Nothing like I said I thought you were.
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:41:58
😊😊
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:12:39
😀 😀 😀
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Erika Kind
Jul 17, 2015 @ 06:39:05
😃 😃😃
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:07:57
You could all help!
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wafflemethis
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:23:04
Anytime☺
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:23:28
Oh, I may hold you to it!!
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wafflemethis
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:25:32
You know where I am☺
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:42:23
😊
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:07:32
❤ 🙂
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:06:29
Aw Shucks! You guys! 🙂 I am so lucky to have you here !!! 🙂
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wafflemethis
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:21:11
Yup😜
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:22:36
😁😝😘
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wafflemethis
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:25:06
😉
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:55:19
Hmmm… Cloning… that’s an idea I hadn’t thought of before…! Lol! thing is I love all of what I do so much, which bit would I want the clone to do??!!
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Erika Kind
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:10:03
Imagine two of you in his world… 😁 more fun, more dancing, more singing… more crazyness
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:16:18
Not sure it could cope!!! LOL!
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Erika Kind
Jul 17, 2015 @ 06:40:54
Would need a lot of tolerance between you two… haha.
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Ritu
Jul 17, 2015 @ 07:19:56
Lol!!!!
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Erika Kind
Jul 17, 2015 @ 09:16:05
😀
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edwinasepisodes
Jul 16, 2015 @ 20:49:21
I have the utmost respect for teachers and do not underestimate what they do, and all the time they put it 🙂
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 21:09:59
Thanks for the support Judy! Teaching is,a vocation… That’s why we do it!
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edwinasepisodes
Jul 16, 2015 @ 21:11:55
Yes it really is 🙂
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:55:30
🙂
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wafflemethis
Jul 16, 2015 @ 20:19:39
6 weeks sunning it up😜😜😜😜😜😜😜
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 20:32:41
Oooooooh you!!!! See what brothers are lomr?! Wind up merchant!!! 😜😜😜
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wafflemethis
Jul 16, 2015 @ 20:56:54
That’s why you love us😜
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:54:24
Of course! 🙂
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thebookblogger2014
Jul 16, 2015 @ 20:16:51
I have nothing but respect for teachers, they work longer hours than most, and they work harder than most. On top of that, I think that they are generally underpaid, given that they have the vast responsibility of passing on knowledge to the next generations.
Best, Matt
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 20:32:09
Thanks for the support Matt! Its hard work, but satisfying!
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Marissa Bergen
Jul 16, 2015 @ 20:08:14
Yes, I was thinking that you are probably on salary so all this overtime you are doing goes unappreciated money wise as well as in other, more obvious ways. However, I have often heard that teaching is not a easy as it seems in terms of the whole time off thing to say the least, so I do not underestimate you at all!!
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Ritu
Jul 16, 2015 @ 20:29:06
Thanks Marissa! My husband asked about all this ‘overtime’ I’m doing… I explained this isn’t overtime, its teacher time!
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